Childminder in Warrington

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 315022 Inspection date 07/11/2008 Inspector Joan Isabel Madden

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and two adult children. The family have a dog. They live in a house in Thelwall, Warrington close to shops, parks, schools and pre-schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding; this includes a conservatory, dining area, kitchen, extension and a lounge. The children use the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Access to the premises is suitable for people with disabilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare register. She is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare register to enable her to care for older children. There are currently eight children on roll aged from 17 months to 11 years who attend on a part time basis. The childminder attends toddler group on a regular basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a sound working knowledge of each child and is committed to meeting their individual needs. Children are well cared for and feel welcome and valued. They make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. Although the childminder has no formal systems in place to evaluate her provision she recognises that her knowledge of safeguarding, systems for planning and assessments are areas for development in order to bring about improvement. Other areas have also been identified as a result of the inspection. She has a positive partnership with parents but has not yet set up systems to report on their children's progress or links with partnerships in the wider context to promote the care and education of the children.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 link the activities provided and assessments of the children to the six areas of learning to ensure children are making progress in all areas of learning  ensure parent's are able to easily access and read the information available to them  set up systems to inform parents of their children's progress towards the early learning goals and maintain a regular two-way flow of information with partnerships in the wider context to promote the care and education of children.  implement an evaluation system to monitor the provision in order to identify strengths, weaknesses and training needs.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 develop a secure understanding with the issues of 25/11/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safeguarding and the procedures to follow where there is a concern about a child  conduct risk assessments for indoors, outdoors and outings that includes identifying and recording aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis 25/11/2008

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provision

The childminder conscientiously provides a safe environment and ensures the children are appropriately protected by ensuring all adults who come in contact with the children are suitable. However, although no safety issues have been identified the childminder does not have the required written risk assessments in place. All other documentation meets the required standards. In addition the childminder has additional policies and procedures in place helping to underpin the sound care of the children. She ensures that the children’s individual records remain confidential and is aware of need to notify Ofsted of significant events.

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provision

The childminder does not have a formal system in place for evaluating her provision. She does however recognise some of the gaps in the provision. For example, she is aware of the necessity to develop robust systems in planning and assessment to ensure that she comprehensively covers the six areas of learning. Overall, satisfactory progress has been made since the last inspection when the childminder was required to obtain an appropriate first aid course, develop her knowledge of safeguarding issues and procedures and improve safety and documentation. She has successfully completed an appropriate first aid course and children’s safety has improved as hazardous materials and equipment are now inaccessible to children. There is now a complaints procedure in place and parents give written acknowledgement of any medication that is administered to children. However, the recommendation raised relating to safeguarding is still outstanding.

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provision

Although the childminder is aware that she has a duty regarding child protection should she have a concern about a child, her knowledge of safeguarding issues and procedures is insecure. She is however able to demonstrate that she is booked on a safeguarding course in the near future.

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provision

The childminder has positive partnerships with parents. She provides parents with information on the provision including routines, activities and weekly menus although the information that is displayed on the notice board is difficult to read. Care arrangements for the children are carried out in agreement with parents to meet their individual needs. Parents receive daily information on the care of their children through feedback at the end of the day; however, there is no clear system in place to keep them informed about their achievements and progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has not yet set up systems with external agencies or other providers to ensure progression and continuity of learning and care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder understands the conditions of her registration and is working within the requirements. The children are welcomed into a clean, warm and child friendly environment where there is plenty of natural light and sufficient space for them to play. Generally there is a reasonably balanced range of resources that children are able to access quickly and easily. Other resources are stored in clear boxes in the extension, ensuring the ones for the younger children are within their reach helping to promote their independence and decision making skills. Children are closely supervised and sensible measures have been taken to minimise hazards. As a result the children are cared for in a safe environment. Written weekly menus demonstrate that the childminder has a good understanding of how to provide nutritious food.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children were seen to enjoy rice cakes, bananas and kiwi fruit for snacks. The childminder supplies the children with fresh drinking water, throughout the day and reminds them to take regular drinks, thereby encouraging a healthy way to remain hydrated. The children benefit from regular outdoor activities. They play in the garden area to the rear of the house and use a range of equipment to develop their physical skills. Additionally regular outings are planned to local facilities, such as the park. On outings children become aware of their own safety as they learn about the potential dangers of the roads. The children are treated appropriately for minor injuries as the childminder is suitably qualified in first aid and has a fully stocked first aid box. They learn about the importance of good personal hygiene routines as their hands are washed at appropriate times throughout the day and there is an

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is building up her knowledge of the learning and development requirements of the EYFS. She is an experienced childminder who understands how child learn and the importance of play. The children are provided with a suitable range of worthwhile activities. However, she lacks confidence and knowledge in planning and as a result she is unable to demonstrate the breadth, depth and consistency of how each area of learning is covered. This results in insufficient emphasis on certain aspects of the curriculum at times. She has begun recording observations of the children but there is no system for linking them into the six area of learning to ensure the children’s next steps in learning are relevant and systematic.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

To help very young children to feel secure and settled they are given reassurance by being held, cuddled and spoken to. This encourages them to develop the confidence to take part in activities and explore. The children are well-behaved. The childminder talks to the children throughout the day and is able to interrupt some of the sounds the children make and respond appropriately. As they share story books and listen to rhymes the childminder introduces the children to new words, helping to build up their understanding of our language. However their opportunities for experimenting with mark making materials, textures and tools and equipment are limited. Through every day activities the children are being introduced to mathematical language. They enjoy counting and listening to number rhymes. Children are being introduced to shapes as they learn to construct and complete jigsaws. They explore programmable toys, thereby, showing an interest in why

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

things happen and making things happen. However, less emphasis is put upon the children learning about the other aspects of knowledge and understanding of the world. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 keep and implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for safeguarding children from abuse or neglect. 25/11/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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